For many years, I questioned who I was, what positive impact I could make on humanity, and whether I was doing enough to uplift the Mexican American community. Even at a young age, I possessed leadership qualities far beyond my years. I was a leader in the classroom, at the schools I attended, on the basketball court, on the marching field, in my folklórico class, in my mariachi group, at church, and at home. I vividly recalled my grandmother telling me I had a special ability to unite the family, a deep commitment to my community, and a gift for teaching. She knew becoming an educator and cultural worker was my destiny. She also understood the challenges I would face but was always there (para apoyarme; to support me), even after her passing. Her countless (consejos: pieces of advice) continue to guide me, and they are part of the roadmap to my personal and professional growth.
Do you know who you are? Do you know where your ancestors come from? What do you know about your heritage? Reflect on these questions and consider: What have you passed down to your children? My parents, Homer, and the late Vickie De La Rosa, along with my aunt, Maria Guadalupe Betancourt: co-founded Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin (Teatro), a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to promote a deeper understanding of Mexican American culture and its people through teaching, study, practice, and performance of the arts and humanities.
Since its founding on July 9, 1982, Teatro has been committed not only to fostering performing arts for children and adults but also to providing educational opportunities through artistic workshops, guest lectures on various topics, and the support of Hispanic artists. These artists, in turn, serve as educators, helping others develop their artistic talents. Over its 42-year history, Teatro has engaged thousands of families, and we look forward to engaging many more in the years to come. Teatro was created to help a small Central Texas town better understand its culture and to instill pride in the Mexican American community—pride that was largely absent at the time due to segregation and the “melting pot” ideology.
Today, Teatro continues to serve as a vehicle for cultural sustainability and guiding youth and families through a process of identity formation. We accomplish this through public pedagogy and community building. While the organization was founded primarily to support the Mexican American community, it has always welcomed anyone who wishes to learn about Mexican American culture. Parents who enter our Cultural Arts Center, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, are immediately embraced as family. This openness teaches their children and the entire community the value of learning and sharing new things. Cultural remembrance and sustainability are essential for future generations to celebrate and honor their ancestors.
At Teatro’s Cultural Arts Center, we house our flagship programs: Ballet Folklórico De La Rosa, which focuses on traditional Mexican folklore dance, and Mariachi Juan Seguin, which teaches students to play violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, and guitarrón. Teatro uses culturally relevant pedagogy to teach participants of all ages, grounding academic success in cultural competence and encouraging students to challenge the current social order. Through dance, music, lectures, and the celebration of Mexican American holidays, we address the cultural history and traditions often missing from formal education. Local public intellectuals and educators play a key role in keeping our culture alive, ensuring learning is passed on to future generations through community education. Teatro’s efforts have made significant strides, offering a unique voice to public pedagogy and contributing to the literature from both an activist and community-change perspective.

Identity formation is crucial. Children need to understand where they come from, as this understanding sparks curiosity in their parents. By learning more about our ancestors, we can rehabilitate a historiography that has often been exclusive. I urge you to immerse yourself and your families in discovering more about your heritage. Reconnect with the traditions of your elders and create new ones. Seek out organizations that nurture self-identity, cultural awareness, and community engagement. These organizations will play a pivotal role in shaping future generations.
As the late Vickie De La Rosa once said, “Through cultural programming, families were able to reimagine a better community for themselves and for their extended families. They became involved in their communities, with some even stepping into the political arena—running for city council, local office, or school board.” So much positive change can come from fostering self-awareness, identity formation, and engagement in culturally relevant programming. I encourage you to document the change within your own families as you embark on this journey together. ❦

About the Author

Dr. Yvonne M. De La Rosa is a Seguin native and the Executive Director of Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin (Teatro). She is a graduate of Texas State University, where she earned her Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Adult, Professional, and Community Education.
Her research study explored the struggle and resiliency of a Mexican American community in Seguin as they attempted to maintain, teach, and celebrate their Mexican American roots, customs, knowledge, and celebrations through community education. She aimed to provide insight into public pedagogy as it relates to teaching, learning, and leading as a means to record the growth and change within the community.
Dr. De La Rosa also studied how Teatro was a vehicle for cultural sustainability and helped youth and families engage in the process of identity formation through public pedagogy, as well as community building and development.

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